Seattle Children’s Theatre wraps ups its 2008-09 Mainstage Season with their 101st world premiere, I Was a Rat! by Barbara Field, based on the book by Philip Pullman and directed by SCT Artistic Associate Rita Giomi. I Was a Rat! opens May 1, 2009 in SCT’s Charlotte Martin Theatre and runs through June 7, 2009.

Also from the SCT press release:

In a similar vein as Wicked or The Ugly Stepsister, I Was a Rat! shows us a different perspective on a well-traveled tale. Poor little Roger (even rat-boys need proper names) has nowhere to turn. Luckily, Bob the cobbler and his wife, Joan, have a warm home and welcoming hearts. If only Roger were able to stay out of trouble long enough to enjoy them. He even manages to get thrown in jail for being a dreaded sewer monster! Thank goodness, the Princess arrives in time to straighten the whole mess out, and return Roger to his new home and loving family.

Further details, including showtimes and ticketing information, can be found on the SCT website.

Posted in events, family, theater | Comments Off on "I Was a Rat!" Opens This Weekend at Seattle Children’s Theatre

Dinosaur skeletons, in museums the world over, are usually impressively tall and confusingly old, but they’re empty, by definition without life. Every dinosaur-lover and most dinosaur dilettantes have daydreamed about what it would have been like to see a Tyrannosaurus Rex–not in movies, or as a skeleton, but actually in person.

The answer, as it turns out is: it would have been loud and scary. Any smart herbivors in the Key Arena area last night would have done well to flee when the T Rex stormed in to defend her baby.

A few names added to the ever-growing Bumbershoot lineup this morning. It’s nice to see some bold faced names like Franz Ferdinand (who seem destined for a mainstage spot, as I suppose that someone will need to keep Sheryl Crow, Modest Mouse, The All-American Rejects, and Katy Perry company up there under the bright lights) spicing up the previously revealed music lineup [mb] along with other worthy additions: Os Mutantes, Keller Williams, and Janelle Monae.

Those keeping an early-eye on the always (insanely) popular comedy section will be happy to know that the lineup was ever-so-slightly revealed today with the announcement the Eugene Mirman would be joining the program.

While the bargain basement three day passes have sold out and the Ting Tings have cancelled, $80 three day passes are still available for purchase at bumbershoot.org. I encourage you to buy early even though it might prevent you from whining endlessly about ticket prices later.

7:30 PM – J. Robert Lennon: Castle
Elliott Bay Book Co.
“Do not be fooled by the dull narrator of this latest novel from Lennon; the author methodically baits readers with mystery and the macabre until the hook is set and then yanks it back with a vengeance … the surprising denouement packs a powerful and brutal punch.” – Publishers Weekly.
[LINK]

8:00 PM – David Sedaris: An Evening with David Sedaris
Benaroya Hall, S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium, $36-$45
For two nights at Benaroya Hall, David Sedaris wll read from his writings and engage in a Q&A with audiences.
[LINK]

Posted in books, events | Comments Off on Readings, signings, and other events vaguely literary for Thursday, April 30, 2009

Three probable cases of swine flu in Seattle, according to a hastily thrown together news conference at Public Health – Seattle & King County. The CDC will have to sequence the virus to be sure, but apparently it tested positive for swine flu in the rapid test.

Wash your hands with soap and water. Cover your mouth and nose with the crook of your elbow (not your hand!) when you sneeze. If you’re sick, STAY HOME. If you really feel rotten, SEE A DOCTOR. Wear a mask only when advised; otherwise, you look like this guy.

I have no idea what Ignite Seattle is, but with speakers like Chris DiBona talking about The Coolness of Telemedicine and Beth Goza speaking on Knitting in Code, this free event at King Cat Theatre should be very interesting. Today only!

Listening to their self-titled album I fell under the impression that Vivian Girls were a avant noise band with traces of satisfying melodies buried under the instrumentation. When I saw them last week in an early afternoon tent spot at Coachella due to miraculous parking and traffic I was surprised to find that live, with the garagey mix inverted and the vocals more prominent above the lilty drone, the Brooklyn trio sounds a touch more conventional, yet still plenty engaging. This is to say that they’re definitely worth checking out when they play at Neumo’s tomorrow night.

To ease the burden on your wallet and lure you out in these flu-fearing economic times, we offer a pair of tickets to one of you. They’re joined by Abe Vigoda, the Los Angeles by way of Chino band (not the 88-year-old actor) and local boys, the Girls. Send an e-mail with “VivianGirls” in the subject and your real name (so that we’ll know who’ll be picking up the tickets at will call) to seattle.metblogs @ gmail.com by the end of the day and we’ll pick a winner. Those presenting fun facts about outsider art or mid-70s cop shows will receive special consideration.

6:30 PM – Mary Gaitskill: Don’t Cry
SPL University Branch Library
The novelist and short story writer, twice nominated for the National Book Award, tackles difficult subjects including sexual abuse.
[LINK]

7:00 PM – Sherman Alexie: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Barnes & Noble University Village
Alexie also has a new book of poems out, Face, so feel free to ask him to sign that, as well, if you are attending this event.
[LINK]

7:00 PM – Thrity Umrigar: The Weight of Heaven
UW Bookstore, U-District
A grieving family befriends a young man after the loss of their son.
[LINK]

7:30 PM – Christine Gleason: Almost Home: Stories of Hope and the Human Spirit in the Neonatal ICU
Town Hall Seattle, Downstairs, $5
Thomas Hansen, CEO of Seattle Children’s Hospital, will interview Gleason about her moving memoir. Presented as part of Seattle Science Lectures, with Pacific Science Center and University Book Store.
[LINK]

7:30 PM – Lord Nicholas Stern: “Internalizing Climate Change: How Responding to Climate Change Can Lead to a New Era of Progress and Prosperity”
Pacific Science Center, $10-15
Lord Stern will discuss the essential steps that must be taken to protect growth and reduce poverty while managing global climate change. He will also discuss his research and recent report that outlines the true economic impacts of climate change, economic risks of avoidance and necessary economic policies facing governments worldwide.
[LINK]

12:00 PM – Lisa Scottoline: Look Again
Seattle Mystery Bookshop
Widely touted as Scottoline’s best work thus far, Look Again features her trademark strong heroine overcoming multiple obstacles to get at the truth. Was reporter Ellen Gleeson’s adopted son actually an abducted missing child, whose birth family has been looking for him for three years? The immensly popular best-selling author drops by to sign.
[LINK]

7:30 PM – Staceyann Chin: The Other Side of Paradise
Elliott Bay Book Co.
The Jamaican-Chinese-American lesbian poet and activist reads from her new memoir. I wonder if she’s also a vegan atheist?
[LINK]

Posted in books, events | Comments Off on Readings, signings, and other events vaguely literary for Tuesday, April 28, 2009

ZooTunes, the wildly popular summer concert series sponsored by BECU and held at Woodland Park Zoo is back for yet another year with an excellent line up of artists that includes the Mavis Staples and Alain Toussaint, Los Lobos, Indigo Girls, Joan Baez, Nanci Griffith and many others. Three Girls and Their Buddy (Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin, and Buddy Miller) get two nights. The series opens on June 17 with The B-52s and ends on August 26 with Amos Lee.

For complete schedule and details on buying tickets at local Metropolitan Markets, check out the ZooTunes page and be prepared to buy your tickets very early or not at all as these shows sell out fast.